Etihad Airways Hiring 2,000 a Year as It Targets 37 Million Passengers
Etihad Airways plans to carry 37 million passengers a year by 2030 and already hires around 2,000 people annually. Here is what that growth means for jobs and how to apply.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
Etihad Airways expects to carry 37 million passengers a year by 2030, CEO Antonoaldo Neves said this week, and the airline is hiring steadily to get there. For anyone chasing Etihad Airways jobs, hiring in 2026 is already brisk: more than 1,000 people have joined so far this year, according to Khaleej Times.
For job seekers in Abu Dhabi and abroad, that is a clear signal. A bigger network needs more people in the air and on the ground.
How fast Etihad is growing
Neves shared the figures at an event on Abu Dhabi's appeal as a place to live, work and invest, Khaleej Times reported on 30 September. The headline numbers:
- Passengers: about 25 million a year now, up from around 10 million in 2022, with 37 million targeted by 2030
- Destinations: more than 130, compared with roughly 70 in 2022
- Fleet: about 70 aircraft in 2022, with around 20 added each year and a goal of roughly 200 jets (Gulf News reported last November that Etihad had raised its 2030 fleet target from 170 to 200)
- Abu Dhabi seat capacity: 12.6 million a year, double the 6.4 million of three years ago
- Investment: the growth plans need around $2 billion, the CEO said
The expansion follows a strong run for the airline, which has reported record profits and kept adding routes since its push into Africa and Asia.
What the growth means for Etihad Airways jobs
Etihad employs 14,000 people from more than 150 nationalities and hires around 2,000 a year. Its careers site groups openings into five teams:
- Pilots
- Cabin Crew
- Engineering and Operations, covering maintenance and technical roles
- Corporate, for office-based work
- UAE Nationals, with roles set aside for Emirati candidates
As a general rule, every new aircraft an airline adds needs several full crews to keep it flying, plus engineers to maintain it and ground teams to turn it around between flights. So 20 new planes a year means steady demand across all of these groups, not just in the cabin. The wider region is short of flight deck staff too: the Middle East needs more than 10,300 new pilots by 2030.
How to apply for Etihad jobs in 2026
All applications go through Etihad's official careers site, careers.etihad.com, which links to its SmartRecruiters job portal. The steps:
- Pick your team on the careers site and open the live vacancies.
- Create a profile on the portal and apply online. You can track your applications from the same account.
- Join the Talent Community if nothing fits yet, to hear about new roles and events.
For cabin crew, the site lists these minimum requirements:
- Aged 21 or over when you apply
- At least 163 cm tall
- High school graduate (Grade 12 or equivalent)
- Fluent spoken and written English
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an assessment with group exercises, aptitude tests, an English test and a final interview about their experience and motivation.
For pilots, Etihad is running recruitment roadshows in Munich (13 October), Frankfurt (15 October), Athens (20 October), Barcelona (27 October), Hong Kong (28 October), a virtual event on 17 November and Kuala Lumpur on 24 November. Registration is through the careers portal, and the airline says candidates who do not yet meet every criterion can still come and register interest.
Apply only through the official site. Etihad's careers pages do not mention any fee for applying.
You can also browse live aviation and other UAE jobs to compare openings at other carriers and airport employers.
Key takeaway
Etihad is growing fast, with more passengers, more routes and about 20 extra aircraft a year, and it hires around 2,000 people annually to match. Pilots, cabin crew, engineers and corporate staff are all part of that intake. Apply directly through careers.etihad.com and keep your profile up to date so you hear about new roles.
FAQ
Is Etihad Airways hiring in 2026?
Yes. Etihad has recruited more than 1,000 people so far in 2026 and typically hires around 2,000 a year, according to Khaleej Times. Openings are listed on its official careers site.
What are the Etihad cabin crew requirements?
Etihad asks for a minimum age of 21, a minimum height of 163 cm, a Grade 12 or equivalent education, and fluent written and spoken English. Selected applicants then go through an assessment and interview.
How do I apply for an Etihad pilot job?
Pilot vacancies are posted on Etihad's careers site through SmartRecruiters. You can also register for one of its roadshows in Europe and Asia in October and November 2026, or join the virtual event on 17 November.
Are there Etihad jobs for UAE nationals?
Yes. Etihad has a dedicated UAE Nationals team on its careers site with roles for Emirati candidates.
How many people work at Etihad Airways?
Etihad employs around 14,000 people from more than 150 nationalities, CEO Antonoaldo Neves said in September 2026.
Further reading
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